Cannot decide on my first "real" radio , help?

[mmckenna]

You can get stuck with buying into some of these digital modes. Nothing against D*star or any of them, but you need to be careful about what you buy into. Good thing is that these digital radios will also do analog.

Echo Link is part of the repeater system, so if you can talk to a repeater that is set up with Echo Link, you'll be OK.
A basic analog radio should work fine for that.

If you want a digital radio, make sure you figure out what exists in your area before purchasing. The different digital modes are not compatible.

 

[cathmer]

Yea I'm mostly St Louis area and based on repeater book I only found one D-star repeater that's within 10 miles of where I work. There are 5 within 50 miles.

In comparison there are 9 with EchoLink in that range and one allstar. 103 FM repeaters I that same range.

(All based on repeater book iPhone app).

Back to analysis paralysis... Lol.

I think I'm going to have to drop the idea of "one rig to do it all". I'll have to save that for a nice base later on. For now I think in going to reduce down to something more along the lines of a 2m/70cm (440) rig and start saving money.

 

[mmckenna]

I think I'm going to have to drop the idea of "one rig to do it all". I'll have to save that for a nice base later on. For now I think in going to reduce down to something more along the lines of a 2m/70cm (440) rig and start saving money.

I think that's a good plan. You'll never find that one perfect radio, if you ever do, they'll change the rules and you'll have to start all over.

A basic analog dual band radio will give you the best bang for your buck as a first radio. Learn how to master it, then move on up.

My first radio was a Yaesu FT-470 dual band hand held. I was an impressive radio at the time. Over the years I found that a basic 2 meter radio was all I really needed/wanted. I sold off my HF radio, all my dual band radios and now just have some commercial VHF stuff and one Yaesu VX-170. Fits my own personal needs just fine.

 

[krokus]

I think I'm going to have to drop the idea of "one rig to do it all". I'll have to save that for a nice base later on. For now I think in going to reduce down to something more along the lines of a 2m/70cm (440) rig and start saving money.

Sounds like a good idea. No rig will do it all, and there is the "Jack of all trades" factor.

Have you tried reaching out to your local hams, to see if anyone who has the rigs you are considering would let you try running it for a few minutes? Each brand, and even different generations in a brand, will have their tendencies. Sometimes those quirks might fit well with you, and others might be annoying to you.

Sent via Tapatalk

 

[bharvey2]

The Kenwood V71A is a nice radio and should cover all of the items on your to do list. I have one at home and one in the truck. I did try the handheld in the truck thing and although it worked, it gets old fast trying to read that little screen.

As an aside, stick with a good quality dual band analog radio. Trying to do everything with one radio and get in to the digital modes as well will drive you mad. Kind of like buying a new computer only to find out a newer, better one comes out tomorrow.

Oh, and congrats on the new license!

 

[mmckenna]

The Kenwood V71A is a nice radio and should cover all of the items on your to do list. I have one at home and one in the truck. I did try the handheld in the truck thing and although it worked, it gets old fast trying to read that little screen.

Yeah, trying to use a portable as a mobile radio sucks. When my brother got his amateur license he tried that for a while. 5 watt hand held with a speaker mic. I at least got him to install a permanent mount antenna on the roof. Sort of worked, but the audio isn't loud enough, kept having to repeat. He could hear us with our mobiles just fine, but we mostly got staticky calls from him.

Finally got him to use a real mobile radio with a big speaker and a real microphone. Huge difference.

 

[ElroyJetson]

There's always the convertacom option, if you buy any of a number of radios (almost always public safety grade radios that aren't field programmable, such as the Motorola XTS5000) that have a convertacom option available for them. It's a nice solution for when you are primarily using a portable radio but occasionally need the power and range of a mobile radio. You just buy the convertacom and a suitable RF power amplifier and you have the best of both worlds. At a price, of course.

 

[N5XTC]

General class

I would highly recommend studying to advance your ticket and get a general class license. Buy an HF radio and work the world without the help of the internet. Do not recommend getting stuck at the technician level.

 

[cathmer]

To N5XTC's comment, there is a General Class coming up, and I have already purchased the book, only issue right now, is that the FCC is down for IT upgrade, and did not process my ticket yet. So it will be until at least the 9th of Sept (maybe longer) before I have my callsign, and the sign-up for the class asks for your callsign

I'm going to call them and see if I can get in anyway.

In the mean time, I've picked up a magmount browning antenna and cables and an SWR/Power Meter along with a power supply and other misc connectors.

Still have to figure out the radio, but at least I've figured out where I'm going to mount it LOL

 

[WyoDuner]

Myself and a few others have endorsed the TM-V71A - It's you choice but it does everything an analog radio can do and does it well and is easy to operate and program. If you really want crossband repeat there are only a few choices; Kenwood V71 or D710, Yaesu 8800R or FTM-400dr or Alinco
DR-635T. That's it. Bang for the buck is probably V71a but if you feel like spending more the FTM-400DR is pretty nice.

 

[cathmer]

Yep you've hit my top choices. I'm going to ask around the local club to see if anyone ha these, maybe I can go see one in action. Wish we had a shop in the Lou for ham's.

 

[N5XTC]

yes, that's awesome. do NOT get stuck at the technician level. no place to spend 20 years. if you need help or advice on the HF radios, let me know. we can do regular email for that, easier. get that general ticket. no real ham gets stuck at the technician level. ))

 

[K5MPH]

Yep you've hit my top choices. I'm going to ask around the local club to see if anyone ha these, maybe I can go see one in action. Wish we had a shop in the Lou for ham's.

Go for the V-71A have a ham friend in Dallas that has one and works great for him try to stay away from a ht radio and get your self a mobile radio for your first time radio and it dont make you any less of a ham at what level you want to be at in ham radio ether, its all about learning and having fun in this hobby dont be like some hams that want to take this hobby back to the stone age......

 

[cathmer]

Have settled on the 71 I'm just working on saving the extra pennies at this point

 

[N5XTC]

Go for the V-71A have a ham friend in Dallas that has one and works great for him try to stay away from a ht radio and get your self a mobile radio for your first time radio and it dont make you any less of a ham at what level you want to be at in ham radio ether, its all about learning and having fun in this hobby dont be like some hams that want to take this hobby back to the stone age......

Why not just offer the man some advice without climbing onto a soap box? we all know the only true measure of a ham is DX contacts and the size of his logbook. There is more to ham radio than hitting repeaters from the local McDonalds. Digital is nice for people who can't do HF. HI

 

[N5XTC]

Have settled on the 71 I'm just working on saving the extra pennies at this point

If you are looking to save real pennies, get a Baofeng. not a bad radio for under $40. really. I have two myself. Just another idea. You can never have too many radios, just not enough. HI

 

[cathmer]

I have a Baofeng UV-8HP (the 8 watt HT)

I was originally looking for a mobile rig to "do it all", but have refined it down a bit. I've decided that the way for me to go (for the activities I want to participate in) is to get something with APRS and x-band repeat ability.

There are lots of options, but after reading manuals, reviews, this thread, etc I've made my choice.

My next rig after this (future) will be a HF with SSB. I plan that will be my reward for earning my General license

 

[gewecke]

yes, that's awesome. do NOT get stuck at the technician level. no place to spend 20 years. if you need help or advice on the HF radios, let me know. we can do regular email for that, easier. get that general ticket. no real ham gets stuck at the technician level. ))

Real hams love the light weight mobility of vhf/uhf and prefer not to be tied to a high current boat anchor coupled to a bus size antenna ... just sayin!

73,
n9zas

 

[K5MPH]

Have settled on the 71 I'm just working on saving the extra pennies at this point

Good for you thats a nice radio you want be sorry good luck in this great hobby i know you will have a lot of fun..........

 

[K5MPH]

Real hams love the light weight mobility of vhf/uhf and prefer not to be tied to a high current boat anchor coupled to a bus size antenna ... just sayin!

73,
n9zas

You got that right buddy light weight is the way to go......